Rehearsal system for sound motion pictures



June 6, 1944. M. E. coLLlNs REHEARSAL SYSTEM FOR SOUND MOTION PICTURESFiled Sept. 2'7, 1941 ,QA/EY.

QQWSYU WNSL UQ BY W/fww Afro Patented June 6, 1944v REHEARSAL SYSTEM FORSOUND MOTIQN PICTURES Milford E. Collins, Los

Radio Corporation o Delaware Angeles, Calif., assigner to f America, acorporation of Application September 27, 1941, Serial No. 412,577

(Cl. Sli-16.2)

8 Claims.

This invention relates to sound motion picture apparatus andparticularly to systems used during the production of the varioussequences which constitute a completed sound picture.

It is well known that in the production of motion pictures, eachsequence is rehearsed be- -fore the nal take is made. The purpose of arehearsal is to obtain the proper action for recording on the picture lmand, since the advent of sound, the proper dialogue or other soundeifects which are to accompany the picture.

The actors of any particular vscene generally.

move about the scene during the speaking of their lines, while thesource of the sound shifts from actor to actor. In the recording of thisdialogue, it is necessary for the microphone operator to follow thesound source with the microphone in order to satisfactorily record thesound. In addition to this and other technical problems involved, thereis the dramatic side of recording which relates to the wording andenunciation of the dialogue. Also, extraneousvsounds may become recordedwhich are not noticed during the taking of the scene. To check on thesevarious factors, it is frequently desirable to have a sound recordingsystem which will permitthe immediate `reproduction of the recordedsound after a rehearsal or after a nal take to determine whether or notthe pickup was satisfactory for the scene.

The present invention is directed to such a system wherein the sound maybe immediately reproduced for checking the manipulations of themicrophone, the speaking voices of the actors, and the quality of thesound system. The invention thus avoids the making of many retakes dayslater and after the particular set has been disturbed. Such a recordingcannot be made on photographie lm, which requires time to develop. Theinvention utilizes disc recording apparatus which is synchronized withthe picture cameras, the records being reproduced separately from theoperation of the recording apparatus.

The principal object of the invention, therefore, is to facilitate theproduction of sound motion pictures.

Another object of the invention is to record scund in synchronism with amotion picture sequence, the sound record being adaptable for immediatereproduction.

A further object of the invention is to record a sound sequence for amotion picture scene which may be independently reproduced.

A further object of the invention is to provide a, combined soundrecording and picture system wherein the sound may be immediatelyreproduced independently of the recording and picture-taking apparatusor later reproduced in synchronism with the projection of the picture.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be rpointed out with particularity in the appendedclaims, the manner of its organization and the mode of its operationwill be better understood by referring to the following description readin conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, inwhich the single gure is a diagrammatic arrangement of a sound picturerecording and reproducing system embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a source of power is connected through a mainthree-phase switch 5 to a synchronous motor 6 and to the stators of adistributor-generator 1, a Selsyn motor 9, and the Selsyn motors ofpicture cameras I0 and II. One or more cameras may be used in accordancewith standard practice. The rotors of the distributor-generator 1, motor9, and the motors of cameras I0 and II are interconnected forsynchronous operation. The synchronous motor 6 drives thedistributor-generator 1, which maintains the three motors insynchronism. Also connected to the power source is a synchronous orinduction motor I3 connected through a magnetic switch I 4 operated byasolenoid I5. Connected across one phase of the power supply overconductors I1 are the solenoid I5 and electromagnets I8 and I9 of theturntable 2|. The solenoid I5 is under control of a manually operatedswitch 22, while the energization of the solenoids I8 and IS iscontrolled by switch 23.

The motor` 9 through a gearbox 24 and an overrunning clutch 25, suchasshown in U. S. Patent 2,106,718, drives the turntable 2| comprising aheavy plate21 and a thin steel disc 28 held away from the plate 21 byaspring 29. A flywheel 30 is mounted on a drive shaft 3l to maintainuniform speed of the plate 21. The magnets I8 and I9 are mounted in theplate 21 and, when energized, will pull the thin disc 28 into Contactwith the plate 21. Thus, when the plate 21 is up to speed, energizationof the magnets will substantially instantaneously start a record 33attached to the disc 28 at the proper reproducing speed. When themagnets I8 and I9 are de-energized, the spring 29 will release the disc28 from the plate 21 and it may be braked in any convenient manner tostop substantially instantaneously.

' plate 21 rotated by accomplished.

43B is rotated, bringing As mentioned above, the motor 9 drives thethrough the gearbox 24 and overrunning clutch 2 5. The plate is alsoadapted to be means of motor I3 driving through a friction roller 35 onthe end of the motor shaft, and an intermediate friction roller 36adapted to be brought into contact with the friction roller 35 andtherim'of the plate 21. The friction roller .36 is mounted on an 'arm 3Bpivoted at 39, and when the friction roller is rotated about the pivot39, will be positioned so as to drive the turntable. Simultaneously withthe movement of the arm 38, switch 22 is closedthat is, closure of theswitch is accomplished when the arm 38 is in a position to connect thefriction roller 35 to the plate 21. When the friction roller 36 is in aninoperative position, the switch 22 will be opened. Closure of theswitch 22v energizes the solenoid I5, which closes switch I4 to energizethe driving motor I3. When the turntable 2| is operated by the motor I3,the overrunning clutch 25 permits operation' thereof without thetransmission of energy to the gearbox 24.

Positioned adjacent the cameras I and II are microphones 40 and 4I,respectively, which are connected through an amplifier 43 to a disccutter unit' 44. Thus, simultaneously with the taking of a picture byeither one or both of cameras i0 and II, the concomitant sound isrecorded on the record 33. Also shown in reproducing position is apickup element 46 connected to an amplier 41 and a loudspeaker 48 forreproduction of sound from the record 33. Conductors are shown from theamplier 43 which go to the usual type of iilm recorder for recording thesound from microphones 40 and 4I on lm for the final take.l

Operation of the above system is as follows.

To start a rehearsal or a take, the synchronous' motor 6 is energizedalong with motors 9, IIJ and il by the closure of the switch 5. Theenergization of motor 9 will rotate the plate 21 in synchronism withlthe operation of the cameras. When the scene is ready to be shot andrecorded, an operator may close the switch 23 to start the recordrotating with the plate. 21. Recording of the sound accompanying thepicture scene is thus When the scene is finished, switch is opened. 1

lf it is now desired to listen to determine whether or not the sound issatisfactory, the arm the friction roller 36 into operating positionbetween the-friction roller 35 and plate 21, simultaneously closing theswitch 22, which energizes solenoid I5, closing switch I4, andenergizing motor I3. The record 33 will thus be rotated independently`of the motor 9, the sound being reproduced over elements 46, 41 and 4B.This reproduction is solely forthe purpose oi obtaining an idea of thedramatic effects of the lines accompanying the scene and to check o nthe sound recording operators as to whether or not the positioning ofthe microphone and the operation of other Sound equipment wassatisfactory, The motor I3, therefore, may be any type of motor capableof providing a satisfactorily uniform reproducing speed.

Should it be desired to subsequently reproduce the sound in synchronisxnwith the picture after the picture nim has been developed and before anlm recording has been made, this may be obtained by driving` the plate21 by motor 9 in synchronism with the picture projector and thenoperating switch 23 manually or from the film projector at a previouslydetermined synchronizing point. The closing of the switch 23 willimmediately start and rotate the record 33 at the synchronous speed ofthe plate 21, which corresponds'to the Selsyn motor-driven projector.

There is thus provided a ilexible sound recording system in associationwith motion picture cameras or projectors whereby the sound may berecorded and reproduced synchronously with the picture, or the sound maybe reproduced independently of the picture during the taking of theparticular sequence, such a system preventing many retakes which havebeen found necessary a day or so after the actual taking of the scene.It is realized, of course, that a disc record of the sound may be madesimultaneously with the take recording on lm to provide a check on thesound as produced during the take.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Sound motion picture apparatus comprising a motion picture camera, asound record medium, means for recording on saidl medium the soundaccompanying said picture, means for driving said picture camera andsaid sound record medium in synchronism, additional means fordrivingsaid record medium independently of said first driving means saidsynchronous driving means being automatically disconnected from saidrecord medium when said additional driving.

means drives said record medium, and means for mechanically connectingAand disconnecting said additional driving means to and from said recordand electrically energizing and de-energizlng said additional drivingmeans, said connecting and energizing being accomplished simultane- 2.Sound motion picture apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which saidmechanical connecting means includes a movabley roller and means formoving said roller into connecting position, said moving means beingadapted to control the electrical energization of said additionaldriving means.

3. Sound motion picture apparatus comprising a motion picture camera, amotor for said camera, a rotatable plate, a second motor for rotatingsaid plate, means for simultaneously energizing said motors foradvancing film in said camera and rotating said plate in synchronism, anover running clutch intermediate said plate motor and said plate, athird motor, means for interconnecting said third motor `to said platefor rotating said plate, the starting of said third motor automaticallydisconnecting said plate from said second motor through said overrunningclutch, and means for connecting a record medium to said plate to rotatesaid recordin synchronism with said camera. l

4. Sound motion picture apparatus comprising a motion picture camera, amotor for said camera, a rotatable plate, a second motor for rotatingsaid plate, means for simultaneously energizing said motors foradvancing film in said camera and rotating said plate in synchronism, anoverrunning clutch intermediate said plate motor and said plate, a thirdmotor, means for interconnecting said third motor to-said plate forrotating said plate, the starting of said third motor automaticallydisconnecting said plate from said second motor through said overrunningclutch, and remote control electromagnetic means for connecting a recordmedium to said plate to rotate said record medium in synchronism withsaid camera.

5. Sound motion picture apparatus comprising a motion picture camera, amotor for said camera, a rotatable plate, a second motor for rotatingsaid plate, means for simultaneously energizing said motors foradvancing film in said camera and rotating said plate in synchronism, anoverrunning clutch intermediate said plate motor and said plate, a thirdmotor, means for interconnecting said third motor to said plate forrotating said plate, the starting of said third motor automaticallydisconnecting said plate from said second motor through said overrunningclutch, and common means for mechanically interconnecting said thirdmotor to said plate and simultaneously controlling the electricalenergization of said third motor.

6. Sound motion picture apparatus comprising a plurality of sound recordmediums, a picture camera, means for synchronously driving said cameraand said plurality of record mediums, means for independently drivingone of said rec- 0rd mediums, means for automatically disconnecting saidsynchronous driving means from said record medium when drivenindependently, and means for mechanically connecting said independentdriving means to said record medium and electrically energizing saidindependent driving means simultaneously.

7. Sound motion picture apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in whichelectromagnetic means are provided for connecting and disconnecting saidindependently driven record medium to said synchronous driving means.

8. Sound motion picture apparatus comprising a motion picture camera, amotor for said camera, a rotatable plate, a second motor for rotatingsaid plate, means for simultaneously energizing said motorsfor advancingfilm in said camera and rotating said plate in synchronism, a thirdmotor for rotating said plate, a power source for all of said motors,means for disconnecting said plate from said second motor when saidplate is rotated by said third motor, and means for mechanicallyinterconnecting said third motor to said plate and electricallyinterconnecting said third motor to said power source.

MILFORD E. COLLINS.

